Get your certified Wisconsin Birth Certificate

How to Get a Wisconsin Birth Certificate Without ID

If you do not possess a valid primary ID, you may use two secondary forms of identification with your application, such as a bank statement, health insurance card, or utility bill. Alternatively, an authorized third party can submit the request on your behalf, provided they provide proof of identity and relationship to you.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Wisconsin?

The total time to receive a replacement Wisconsin birth certificate varies depending on the current processing times and the application method. The standard processing time is approximately 10 business days. Rush processing may be available through the Wisconsin DHS’ website. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

The Wisconsin DHS does not require applicants to obtain notarized statements, whether the request is made online or by mail. A photocopy of your ID is sufficient to verify your identity.

However, a notarized application may be required in specific counties or municipalities or when third parties, such as family members or legal representatives with "direct, tangible interest," are submitting the request.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a Wisconsin Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base, your birth would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State, and you would not have a birth certificate on record with the state of Wisconsin. You can obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240) by contacting the U.S. Department of State. The CRBA, equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate, provides evidence of U.S. citizenship and is legally accepted for various purposes, such as applying for a passport and accessing social services.

  If you need to obtain an original birth record, you must contact the hospital in the country where the birth occurred.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Wisconsin Birth Certificate?

  

  Certified copies of a Wisconsin birth certificate are vital for various uses in life, such as establishing your identity and citizenship, legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel. They are government-issued and recognized by legal and commercial entities and provide proof of legal name, place, date of birth, and parent's names. Official birth certificates are government-issued and recognized by legal and commercial entities.
  

  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

• What Does a Wisconsin Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  The appearance of official birth certificates can vary by year of issue but will incorporate distinct features stipulated by the Wisconsin DHS to validate their authenticity (as per state guidelines). Official birth certificates bear features such as the state seal, individual's name, and registrar's signature and are issued on secure paper to prevent counterfeiting.

  Official (long-form) birth certificates are legally accepted and distinct from informational (short-form) copies, typically used for personal or commemorative reasons.

  • Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

  • Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

  • Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

  • Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

  • State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

  • Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

  • Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

  • Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

  In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

  • Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

  • Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Wisconsin Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy by mail or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the Wisconsin (DHS).
     a. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the Wisconsin DHS at:
     Wisconsin Vital Records Office
     PO Box 309 Madison, WI 53701
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  2. The Wisconsin DHS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a Wisconsin Birth Certificate

  

  The process for amending a Wisconsin birth certificate varies depending on the changes required. An addendum is a supplement issued to correct or update the information on a birth certificate while preserving the original record. Types of amendments and corrections that require a court order include:

  Name Change: Contact the clerk of court in the county where you live. The court fee is $10.00 to amend a record.

  A Sex Change: A certified copy of a court order from the United States or Canada that orders the sex designation on the birth record to be changed. The court fee is $20.00 to change the record.

  Typically, amendments to Wisconsin birth certificates will require:

  • A certified copy of the birth record Wisconsin Birth Certificate Application.
  • A note explaining what is incorrect and what the correct information should be.

  Wisconsin DHS will review the amendment submittal and send you instructions if needed.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Wisconsin Birth Certificate

  

  You can request an apostille through the Wisconsin Secretary of State or use VRO's Express Apostille Service for online orders. Apostilles are issued exclusively by the Wisconsin Secretary of State and are generally needed when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

  To manually obtain an apostille for a Wisconsin birth certificate, complete the following steps:

  1. Complete the Authentication & Apostille Order Form: Obtain and complete the appropriate Apostille Request Form from the Wisconsin Secretary of State's office.
  2. Prepare the Required Documents: Include a certified copy of your birth certificate and the completed Authentication & Apostille Form.
  3. Pay the Applicable Fees: Ensure you include the payment with a check or money for the apostille service fee ($10.00 standard; $35.00 expedited), made out to the Wisconsin Secretary of State.
  4. Include a prepaid self-addressed envelope or courier label for the return delivery unless you pick up your certificate in person at the State Capitol Building.
  5. Submit Your Request: You can submit your request by mail or in person. If submitting by mail, send the form, documents, and payment to the following address:

  Mail via USPS:

  
  

  Mail via courier:

  
  

  In Person Submissions: